Business Management

What to Look for in Property Management Accounting Software: Essential Features Explained

Filed Under: Business Management, Features, Property Management, Property Management Software

Why Property Management Accounting Matters

Managing rental properties isn’t just about collecting rent—it’s about staying on top of your finances. If you’re a landlord or property manager, you need to know where your money is going, what’s coming in, and how to stay compliant with the law. That’s where property management accounting software comes in. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?

This guide breaks it down in plain English. You’ll learn the basics of property management accounting, the must-know terms, and the top features to look for—plus how SimplifyEm can make it all easier.

1. What Is Accounting?

Accounting is simply the process of tracking money. It shows how much you earn, how much you spend, and what you owe. Every business uses accounting to make smart financial decisions.

2. What Is Property Management Accounting?

Property management accounting is a specialized type of accounting. It’s designed for rental properties and covers everything from rent collection to maintenance costs and owner payments. It also helps you follow legal rules, file taxes, and keep your books in order.

SimplifyEm handles all the accounting for you in an easy to use manner. You just enter the checks that come in and payments you make.

3. Key Property Management Accounting Terms (Made Simple)

Here are some important words you’ll see often. Don’t worry—we’ll keep it simple.

Accounting Period

The time you track finances for—usually monthly or yearly.

Accounts Payable

Money you owe, like repair bills or vendor invoices.

Accounts Receivable

Money owed to you, such as unpaid rent.

Accrual Accounting

Records money when it’s billed or earned—not when it’s paid.

Allocation

Splitting up income or costs between properties, units, or rent due.

Asset

Anything valuable your business owns.

Bookkeeping

Keeping track of daily income and expenses.

Bank Reconciliation

Making sure your records match your bank statement.

Cash Accounting

You record income or expenses only when money changes hands.

Chargeback

When a fee or payment is reversed.

Chart of Accounts

A list of categories used to organize finances. Common ones include:

Assets
Liabilities
Equity
Income
Expenses

NARPM Chart of Accounts

A standard layout many professional managers use, approved by the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM).

Credit / Debit

Credits usually increase income or reduce expenses. Debits are the opposite.

Depreciation

Loss of value over time (think appliances or furniture).

Equity

Your ownership value after debts are paid.

Expense

Money spent to operate the property—repairs, utilities, etc.

Fixed Cost

A regular cost that doesn’t change, like insurance.

General Ledger (G/L)

A full record of all financial transactions.

GAAP

Rules for how businesses should handle accounting. It stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Liability

Money you owe—like a loan or unpaid bill.

Overhead

Everyday business costs, like office rent or software.

Revenue

The money you bring in—mostly from rent.

4. Cash vs. Accrual: Which Accounting Method Is Best?

There are two main methods:

Cash accounting: Record money when it’s paid or received. It’s simple and great for small landlords.
Accrual accounting: Track income and expenses when they’re billed—even if no money has moved. It gives a clearer picture of your finances.

Tip: The IRS usually allows landlords to use cash accounting. For more details, check out the IRS rental income guide. SimplifyEm will allow you to see your accounting in a cash or accrual basis, it keeps track of things both ways without any extra work on your part.

5. Trust Accounting: Keep Owner and Tenant Money Safe

Many states require trust accounts to hold tenant rent or security deposits. These accounts must be separate from your business account and follow state rules.

For example, in California, property managers must open a trust account and follow strict reporting rules. Here’s a helpful guide from the CA Department of Real Estate.

SimplifyEm has built-in tools that support trust accounting and help you stay compliant in an automated manner.

6. Tracking Tenant Balances

Accurate tenant records are a must. Look for accounting software that tracks:

Rent paid and due
Late fees
Security deposits
Credits and refunds

With SimplifyEm, tenant balances are automatically updated and easy to access anytime.

7. Owner Statements and Payouts

If you manage properties for others, you’ll need clear records for them too. Good accounting software should:

Generate monthly owner statements
Track income and expenses by property
Handle automated owner payouts
Help with tax forms like 1099s

SimplifyEm does all this and more, giving owners access through their own secure portal.

8. How SimplifyEm Makes Property Management Accounting Easy

SimplifyEm was built for landlords and property managers who want smart features—without a big learning curve. Here’s what you get:

Automated rent tracking and bank syncing
Trust accounting support for state compliance
Customizable chart of accounts, that supports NARPM standards
Owner and tenant portals
One-click reports and 1099 eFiling

Bonus: It’s affordable and comes with free customer support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Property Management Accounting

What is property management accounting?
It’s the process of tracking rent, expenses, deposits, and owner payouts in rental property businesses.
What is the best accounting software for property managers?
SimplifyEm is a top choice for its ease of use, trust accounting tools, and landlord-friendly pricing.
Should I use cash or accrual accounting?
Cash accounting is best for most small landlords. Accrual is better for larger portfolios or when you need a full financial picture.
Are trust accounts required?
In many states—yes. Check your state’s real estate rules to be sure.

Sources:

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc414

https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/re25.pdf

Boosting Efficiency in Property Management with CRM Solutions

Filed Under: Business Management, Property Maintenance

Introduction: The Evolving Landscape of Property Management

If you’re a property manager, you know how much time is spent juggling emails, phone calls, maintenance requests, and financial reports every single day.

Tenants have questions about rent, lease renewals, or repairs—and they want quick answers.
Owners expect detailed reports, updates on property conditions, and financial transparency.
Vendors need to be scheduled, confirmed, and followed up with.
Rental applicants flood inboxes with questions, tour requests, and paperwork.

It’s a lot to handle, and without the right tools, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s where SimplifyEm with CRM functionality comes in. Designed to make property management simple and stress-free, this all-in-one solution helps landlords and property managers stay organized, communicate better, and get more done—with less hassle.

What is a Property Management CRM?

A Property Management CRM is software that helps you manage properties, tenants, and finances—all in one place. Unlike traditional Real Estate CRM software, which focuses on sales, property management CRMs are built specifically for the needs of landlords and property managers.

How a CRM Can Simplify Your Workflow

Keeps Tenant and Lease Information Organized – No more digging through emails or paper files.
Automates Rent Collection – Set up reminders and let the system do the work.
Streamlines Maintenance Requests – Easily track, assign, and update work orders.
Improves Communication – Keep all conversations in one place, so nothing gets lost.
Simplifies Accounting – Track income, expenses, and generate financial reports effortlessly.

And with SimplifyEm, you get all of this in an easy-to-use, intuitive system that’s designed with YOU in mind.

How SimplifyEm CRM Delivers a WOW Experience

At SimplifyEm, we believe property management should be easy, stress-free, and even enjoyable! That’s why SimplifyEm with CRM functionality isn’t just another software—it’s a game-changer that helps you manage properties efficiently while making your life easier.

Everything You Need, All in One Place

Automated Rent Collection – No more chasing down payments. Tenants get reminders, and payments are tracked automatically.
Tenant Communication Hub – Quickly respond to questions and keep all conversations organized in one place.
Maintenance Request Portal – Tenants submit service requests online, and you can assign vendors with a click.
Accounting Integration – Easily track expenses, income, and overdue payments—no spreadsheets required!
Lease Management and Renewals – Get reminders before leases expire and store all documents in one spot.

SimplifyEm’s Communication Center: The Ultimate Conversation Tracker

Tired of losing track of emails, texts, and phone calls? We’ve got you covered!

The SimplifyEm Communication Center is your all-in-one conversation hub that keeps every interaction—across email, SMS, and phone calls—in one easy-to-access location.

Property managers can access past conversations instantly without searching through separate email accounts or phone logs.
Every message, from maintenance requests to lease negotiations, is recorded and linked to the relevant property and stakeholders.
Owners, vendors, and tenants can be included in the same conversation thread, ensuring clear and transparent communication.
The ability to track all interactions in one place reduces miscommunication and speeds up response times.

By centralizing conversations, SimplifyEm’s Communication Center saves property managers hours of time each week and prevents important messages from getting lost in the shuffle.

How a CRM Functionality Saves You Time and Reduces Stress

Less Time on Repetitive Tasks

Automate rent reminders, lease renewals, and follow-ups, so you can focus on what matters.

Happier Tenants, Owners, and Vendors

Quick responses and easy communication make everyone’s life easier.

Stay Organized Without the Headaches

All your property, tenant, and financial info is at your fingertips.

At SimplifyEm, our goal is simple: to help you work smarter, not harder!

Real Results: A SimplifyEm Success Story

A mid-sized property management firm using SimplifyEm CRM reported:

30% reduction in late rent payments due to automated reminders.
50% improvement in maintenance request resolution time.
Significant increase in tenant satisfaction scores.

By streamlining operations and automating key workflows, SimplifyEm CRM functionality saved this company over 10 hours per week, allowing managers to focus on growing their business instead of handling repetitive tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Property Management CRM Functionality

What makes SimplifyEm different from other Property Management CRMs?
SimplifyEm is designed for ease of use, offering intuitive automation and financial tracking features tailored for property managers of all sizes.
How does CRM software improve tenant relations?
Faster communication, better organization, and automated updates make life easier for tenants.
Can SimplifyEm integrate with accounting tools?
Yes! Easily track payments, expenses, and generate financial reports.
Is SimplifyEm good for small landlords?
Absolutely! Whether you manage 5 units or 500, SimplifyEm scales with your needs.
What is the cost of implementing a Property Management CRM?
Pricing varies, but the time and stress you save make it well worth the investment!

Sources:

https://www.naahq.org/

https://www.census.gov

Are ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) Rentals a Good Idea?

Filed Under: Business Management, Property Maintenance, Property Management, Property Management Software, Real Estate Investing, Rental Laws & Taxes

What is an ADU?

An ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) is a secondary/independent living unit on the same land as a primary residence unit. ADU’s can be attached to a primary residence or detached. It would most likely consist of a kitchen, living area, bathroom and separate room or space for bed.

It’s typically smaller in size and suitable for either a single person or a couple.

Many cities are encouraging developing ADU’s due to a shortage of housing and also rentable units compared to demand for affordable housing.

Government data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency and California Department of Housing and Community Development shows ADU’s are becoming popular.

The number of ADU are growing. Here is data for California:

You can also see the value of properties with ADU is also growing, here is data for California:

What Steps Are Required to Create an ADU?

If you want to create an ADU, you should take into consideration the following:

Cost – What kind of funding/loan will you need?
Type of ADU – What type of ADU are you building?
Local Regulation – What type of regulations does your local municipality require?
Design the ADU – Find an architect or designer to create plans.
Permits – Get necessary permits from your local planning authority.
Contractor – you’ll need to hire a licensed contractor, unless you’ll build yourself.
Construct – Get it built and inspected by municipality inspectors.

Cost of ADU

Building an ADU is a significant expense. You should have a good idea of cost before you start. Here are some estimates based on size. The range is determined based on your location and design choices.

Type of ADU

There are a variety of types of ADU; you should determine if you can use space in the primary residence to convert it to an ADU or if you have enough space in your lot to construct one.

Here are some of the common types to consider:

Detached ADU
Attached – addition to main house
Garage converted to ADU
Basement converted to ADU

Local Regulations Governing ADU’s

You’ll need to contact your local planning authority to understand ADU rules. Some things to consider are:

Zoning Laws – Can you build an ADU in your neighborhood?
Size limits – What’s the maximum size for an ADU?
Setbacks – How much space do you need from your neighbors to where you can place an ADU?
Height Restrictions – How high can roofline and ceilings be?
Parking – What kind of parking if any do you have to provide?
Occupancy – Are there limits to the number of people allowed in ADU? Can it be used for long and short term rental?

Designing the ADU

You will need to find an Architect or Designer you’re comfortable with to come up with plans that meet your cost requirements and also satisfy local regulations.

Permits for an ADU

You and your Architect should set up a meeting with your local planning department to determine what kind of permits you need to start the project.

Typically, you’ll need:

Building permit
Zoning Approval
Site plan approval
Utility permits
Fire safety compliance

Getting a Contractor to Start Building your ADU

Once you’ve gotten the appropriate permits, you need to start construction. There are two key decisions you need to make. First, will you build yourself or use a contractor? Second, if you use a contractor finding the right one for you.

Make sure your contractor has an up-to-date license.

Constructing an ADU

Once you have started construction, at the end of each stage of the build, get it inspected for approval by the planning department. Typically, different stages where you’ll need an inspection are:

Foundation
Framing
Plumbing
Electrical
Final Inspection

Inspectors are your friend; getting it approved by them can ensure you’re getting quality work.

Should I Create an ADU from Scratch or Prefab?

One other consideration that can affect costs is should build ADU from scratch or prefab?

Typically, custom construction takes longer and is more expensive. However, you can customize the design to your liking so it better matches the main residence. It also tends to have higher resale value.

Whereas prefab is limited in design, which can make it look more cookie-cutter. It can also have a lower resale value. However, construction can be done faster, and it can also lower costs. Sometimes it’s easier to get a permit as well.

What Are the Costs and Benefits of an ADU?

An ADU can be a great investment. The costs are significant based on the size, location and design choices, as we showed earlier.

There are many benefits, such as:

Rental income
Property value increase
Flexible space for family needs: aging parents, adult children, guest space
Affordable housing – Help your community by providing affordable housing.

Should You Consider Section 8 Housing for your ADU?

Section 8 housing means you’re willing to accept low-income tenants where a portion of the rent is paid by the government. There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Advantage:

Guaranteed rent payments
Larger pool of potential tenants
Lessens the risk of rental loss

Disadvantage:

Property inspection to meet Section 8 standards
Rent must comply with government regulations
More government administrative work

Do You Want To Accept Pets in ADU – Is It Pet-Friendly?

Accepting pets in your ADU has many advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage:

Larger pool of potential tenants
Higher Rent (Pet Fee, Pet Rent)
Tenants tend to stay longer

Disadvantage:

More property damage
Noise issues
More cleaning when tenants move out

Should You Make Your ADU a Short-Term Rental?

It can be profitable to have your ADU as a short-term rental (AirBNB) rather than long-term rental. There are many advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

More rental income
Flexibility for your own usage of ADU
Tenant turnover is easier

Disadvantages

Zoning restrictions – Many cities do not allow it.
More management – since there is frequent tenant turnover
Operating cost – frequent cleaning, furniture, Utilities

How can SimplifyEm help with your ADU?

If you are renting out your ADU. You need software that does an excellent job of:

Keeping track of your tenants account and balance
Great communication capabilities to stay in touch with your tenant and have everything recorded.
Having your records ready for tax time.

SimplifyEm Property Management Software does all of this and is the easiest to use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ADU

What is an ADU?
ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) is a secondary living space in the lot of a primary residence.

It can be a detached space or attached (such as a converted garage or basement) as an independent unit consisting of a kitchen, living area with a bedroom space, and bathroom.
What are the costs and benefits of an ADU?
The cost of an ADU consists of permit to build as well construction cost. The factors that affect its cost are size of space, design decisions you make, as well location. It can be very expensive to construct running into several hundred of thousands dollars.

It provides many benefits and gives you a flexible space to deal with elderly parents, adult children, as well as guests.

You can also rent it out for income. Having an ADU on a property typically increases property value.
Should I consider a Prefab ADU?
A Prefab ADU is absolutely worth considering. It provides many benefits, such as lower construction costs as well as a faster time to build.

Some limitations of Prefab are you have less control over design; you can’t have all the design elements you want. It’s limited to whatever is offered by the prefab company.
Do ADU’s make an affordable rental?
ADU tends to be smaller than Single Family homes. So they can make for ideal space for single people or young couples on a limited budget.
Can an ADU be used for Section 8 housing?
You should check with government authorities as to what qualifies for Section 8 housing. Typically, a fully functional ADU can be used for section 8 housing.

Turning your ADU into Section 8 housing gives you the benefit of a regular rent check from the government. However, you do become subject to government rules on how much rent you can charge as well as filling out government forms and paperwork.

Sources:

https://www.fhfa.gov/blog/statistics/trends-in-median-appraised-value-for-properties-with-accessory-dwelling-units-in-california

https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-and-research/accessory-dwelling-units

How to Get Rid Of American Cockroaches or German Cockroaches in Your Rental Property

Filed Under: Business Management, Property Maintenance, Property Management, Property Management Software

Roaches can make your rental property less attractive and lower the ROI If it’s a vacant unit, it makes it less attractive and harder to rent.

It’s also a very common problem, according to the US Census Bureau, 14 million homes have reported seeing a roach infestation over a 12 month period.

Here is some data on likelihood of Roach Infestation versus No infestation based on these signs in the home.

It’s important to be proactive to prevent infestation, hHowever if you have an infestation, it’s critical to act fast to take care of it. You also need to consider the kind of pest control remedies you’re comfortable with: Do you prefer natural pest control remedies? Do you have pets? Does it have to be pet-safe? Do you want to work with a professional pest control firm, keeping in mind costs?

What are the Characteristics of American and German Cockroaches?

German and American Cockroaches are the two most common types and are the hardest to get rid of according to Orkin. American Cockroaches are ½ inch longer than German Cockroaches. Both types prefer warm and moist locations. The German variety tends to gather in Kitchen and Bathroom, while the American variety prefer basements, drains, and crawl spaces.

The German variety is most common and reproduces quickly. One of the main problems they cause is spreading bacteria wherever they travel.

What Can You Do To Prevent a Roach Infestation?

There are several steps to deal with this effectively:

Regular monitoring to look for infestation
Preventing infestation

Tenant and Property Manager Responsibilities

As a property manager, you should communicate with the tenant on their role and responsibilities and yours in monitoring, preventing, and dealing with infestation. Communicating this upfront will help start your relationship with the tenant on good footing.

1) Regular monitoring – establishing a regular schedule with your tenant for unit inspection, whether it’s weekly, monthly, or quarterly with an inspection form looking for infestation is great practice. Having property management software that includes event based calendaring that automatically setups tasks between your tenant and yourself can help automate this.

2) Preventing Infestation – Roaches are attracted to food sources, water, and dark warm hidden spaces. Incenting your tenant to keep things tidy, especially the kitchen counter should be clear of food debris and damp water. You should be proactive about fixing leaky water pipes. While vinegar doesn’t kill cockroaches, it’s a great repellant and great at preventing infestation.

Getting rid of an infestation, what are roach killer solutions?

How should we proactively deal with infestation? If there is a roach infestation, the tenant should notify you right away, and it should be dealt with immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to get rid of the infestation. You can try three different types of remedies:

Natural home remedies
Store bought chemical remedies
Hiring a professional pest control firm

One other consideration in all this is that there are pets involved. You want it to be pet friendly.

1) Home remedies are very attractive since they are safer compared to chemical treatment. Baking soda, boric acid, and diatomaceous earth are the most common home remedies. The good thing is Diatomaceous earth is pet safe.

2) Store bought chemical methods are very effective, but its critical safety guidelines are followed if you have pets or children. Some common solutions are Advion cockroach gel bait, Combat roach killing bait, and glue traps. Please read the label carefully if you have pets and children; typically, don’t allow them in the space where you’re sprayed for at least 2 to 4 hours. Make sure anything you place to prevent roaches is not reachable by them if possible.

3) Professional pest control firms can be very effective. If you set up a regular schedule they can prevent an infestation from ever happening. They have access to commercial-grade solutions and treatments. According to Angie’s list, you can expect it to cost anywhere from $100 to $600.

Conclusion

Having a great relationship with your tenant is required so you can take a joint proactive approach to prevent infestation, such as regular monitoring, and a quick action plan to resolve an infestation is key.

You can lower your expenses and maximize your rent by creating a cockroach free environment for your tenant.

Frequently Asked Question on Roach Infestation

What smells do roaches hate?
Roaches dislike essential oils such as Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, and Rosemary Oil. They also dislike some plants such as Rosemary, Mint, and Chrysanthemum. Some spices and fruit are also natural repellants, such as cinnamon, lemons, and oranges. So having these around could be a great way to discourage roaches.
How long can roaches live without food?
Cockroaches can live for a month without food. So you should regularly clean your kitchen counter.
How long can roaches live without water?
Cockroaches can live for up to 12 days without water. So making sure you have water drops in your kitchen and bathroom and fixing leaking faucets is key to preventing infestation.
Will bleach kill roaches?
While you can drown a cockroach in bleach. It’s not the best solution since it’s harmful to humans and pets. There are more natural, safer solutions, like baking soda.

Sources:
https://www.orkin.com/pests/cockroaches/german-cockroaches/german-cockroach-vs-american-cockroach

https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-cockroach-extermination-cost.htm

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/how-many-american-homes-have-pests.html

How To Get Rid of Ants in Your Rental House or Apartment

Filed Under: Business Management, Property Management, Property Management Software

As a property manager, it’s never pleasant to get a call from your tenant that there is an ant infestation in your rental property. Ant infestations can happen suddenly and grow fast.

They are irritating for your tenants and also can cause problems for you. Ants are known to contaminate food; they can even damage wiring and electronics.

What Types of ants Commonly Affect Houses?

According to the University of California, there are various common types of ants that can invade a house. Here are a few of the common types:

While some varieties live outdoors, they will come inside the house for food and take it back to their ant colony. As you can see, the most common types of food you need to store away securely are Sweets, Fats, Greasy Foods, and Proteins.

Why Do You Have Ants in Your House?

Ants need food and water just like us.. The most likely cause is that your rental property has water they need or the food they’re attracted to is too accessible to them. Here are five things to watch out for:

You have sugary foods accessible to them. A great way to take care of this is to keep the kitchen clean and use sealed containers they can not access.
Make sure greasy surfaces are cleaned up in the kitchen counter, stove top, and garbage container.
Ants need water. So you should clean up water spills and fix leaky faucets and pipes.
Decaying wood is the perfect hideout for ants. Whether it’s a wood pile next to your house and dry wood siding, this is something to watch out for.
Finally, look at how they can enter your house from outside and seal them. Window, Door, or cracks in your foundation.

What Can I Do to Prevent an Ant Infestation?

Now that you know what attracts ants to your property, there are simple strategies you can implement with your tenants to prevent an infestation:

Get rid of their food supply – make sure you clean up your kitchen regularly, so there is nothing sweet available and all grease has been wiped down.
Get rid of their water supply – promptly pick up any water spills, fix leaky pipes and faucets, and do not leave water accessible to them.
Close of entry points – check the exterior of your property for cracks and holes and seal them.

There are also natural repellents that discourage ants that you can use to discourage ants:

Borax is used as a cleaning product and insect repellent. You should be careful and follow safety instructions. It can be harmful to children and pets.

Diatomaceous Earth dries out the oils in an ants body. But it can be an irritant, so do wear gloves and a mask when handling it.
Glass cleaner has an odor that removes the scent that ants use to get to food sources.
Red or black pepper is a natural deterrent since ants find the smell irritating.
Peppermint oil helps repel red ants. But be careful around cats.
Citrus fruit or Citrus Oils also helps repel and kill ants.
Vinegar mixed with water as a cleaning solution is effective. Ants do not like the smell of vinegar, so it acts as a deterrent.

How Do I Get Rid of Ants? Are Ant Sprays Effective? How do Ant Traps Work?

You can always go to your retail store for chemical spray and Bait Trap. There are popular sprays such as from Raid that are effective. But be careful because some of the chemicals can be harmful if you inhale or eat. So carefully monitor your children and pets.

If you have a carpenter ant infestation, you are probably looking for the best carpenter ant bait, to get off them. Bait traps work by attracting them, and the ants then take harmful chemicals back to the ant colony, which gets rid of the ants.

You can always use a professional pest control firm. According to Angie’s list, that can cost anywhere between $80 to $500 based on infestation size.

Conclusion

Ants can disturb your tenants’ experience with your rental property. Both you as the property manager and your tenant have a role to play in preventing an issue. The best way is to know what attracts ants and keep them away from your house.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ant Infestation

What Smells Do Ants Hate?
Ants typically don’t like the smell of citrus fruits, peppermint oil, lavender, black or red pepper. A great way to prevent an infestation, which could require using harsh chemicals, is to create a repellent for ants by making sure these fragrances are in your home.
Does Vinegar Kill Ants?
Vinegar does not kill ants. But by having vinegar, it neutralizes the smells ants use to get back to their colonies and lessens the infestation.
Does Cornmeal Kill Ants?
Cornmeal does not kill ants, but is helpful. Cornmeal if eaten by ants is not digestible. So they can starve to death if they eat no other food. But only if that is most of their food. If they eat other things, this is less effective.

Sources:
https://www.orkin.com/pests/ants

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/m/pn7411-3.html

https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-get-rid-ants.htm

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/how-many-american-homes-have-pests.html

How to Prevent Mice in Your Rental Property

Filed Under: Business Management, Property Management, Property Management Software

One of the most unpleasant calls you can get from your tenant as a property manager is that there are mice in the property. To get rid of mice and prevent them from appearing again, it requires teamwork from both of you.

It’s also a very common problem, according to the US Census Bureau, 14.8 million homes have reported seeing a roach infestation over a 12 month period.

Here is some data on likelihood of Rodent Infestation versus No infestation based on these signs in the home.

It requires preventive measures, such as a mouse repellent strategy that makes the rental property less inviting. If there are mice already in the property, there is a solution to get rid of the mice already there.

What Causes Mice in the Property?

Especially during cooler months, mice look for warmth. So the risk is higher during the autumn and winter time. If you have cracks and openings in your house through the wall, window, basement, foundation or attic, you are more likely to invite mice.

Also, if you have good nesting material such as insulation, cotton, or feather in a pillow that is also attractive.

Finally, food is the other reason for mice to enter your house. Things such as unsealed pet food, open garbage cans, or just open food containers are very attractive to mice.

What Are Natural Repellents for Mice?

First, do all the obvious things. Seal entries into your. Inspect your house for cracks and openings to seal.

Get rid of food sources, by putting all food away in metal or heavy plastic containers. If it’s a paper container or light plastic, mice will be able to get in and get the food supply.

There are smells mice hate, such as peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, and cloves. Try to infuse those fragrances throughout the house.

Other smells that mice hate are smells of cat urine and urine of other predators. You can mimic this with ammonia, if you want a stronger smelling solution.

Other ways to get rid of mice? What is the best mouse bait?

Simple traps like a ‘snap trap’ with the best mouse bait peanut butter work, but obviously they are messy. Typically, it involves a quicker demise for the mice without longer suffering.

There are also electric traps that kill mice with electric shocks. They are effective but can be expensive.

There are also sticky glue mouse traps, but mice can learn to avoid them over time.

You can also use store bought chemical solutions and take precaution when using them around children and pets.

Finally, you can always use a professional pest control service, according to Angie’s list, that can cost from $180 to $600 but can be effective. But it can vary based on the size of your house.

Conclusion

Mice once they infiltrate are hard to get rid of. The best strategy is to seal your house so it’s hard for them to enter. Also, don’t provide any food or shelter source for them.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mice Prevention

What smells do mice hate?
Mice are known to hate smells like peppermint, clover, and Cayenne pepper. They also hate the smell of Ammonia, since it smells similar to cat urine.
How long can mice live without food?
Mice can survive 2 to 4 days without food. So if you eliminate their food sources, it’s a very effective mouse repellant strategy.
Do mice learn to avoid mouse traps?
Mice will learn over time to avoid traps. At first, it’ll be new for them, but over time they learn.

Sources:

https://www.orkin.com/pests/rodents/mouse-control/mouse-deterrents

https://www.fixr.com/costs/mouse-exterminator

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/how-many-american-homes-have-pests.html